Systems and methods for enhancing spectral efficiency in a communication network

ABSTRACT

A communication system configured to enhance communication spectral efficiency while maintaining an acceptable level of system robustness. Various combinations of modulation, code rate, and antenna usage scheme, are combined to create a hierarchy of modulation and communication schemes (MCS), such that each higher MCS level represents an enhanced degree of spectral efficiency, traded off for a lowered degree of system robustness. Included also are embodiments of methods testing the quality of data transmission and reception at difference MCS levels, and then raising or lowering MCS levels in order to enhance communication spectral efficiency while not falling below the minimally acceptable level of system robustness.

BACKGROUND

Channel conditions in communication systems vary over time. Suchvariances occur in all communication systems, and may be markedparticularly in systems in which subscriber stations are moving.Spectral efficiency is a very important aspect of all communicationsystems. Conservative algorithms for modulation and coding schemes (MCS)may lead to lower throughput rates. Aggressive algorithms for MCS maylead to higher packet loss and retransmissions. Although the bits-per-Hzefficiency is higher with aggressive modulation algorithms,retransmissions may indirectly lower the overall spectral efficiency ofthe system. Best link adaptation algorithms define optimal MCS andoptimal antenna methods to be used for data transmission for eachindividual subscriber, depending upon channel conditions between theBase station and the subscriber station.

Various link adaptation algorithms are available today, based on thereceived signal strength (RSSI) and Signal to Noise ratio (SNR). Atransmitter must rely on channel conditions (such as RSSI/SNR) reportedby the receiver, but channel conditions vary dramatically in anycommunication system, and particularly when a subscriber station ismoving. Channel measurement reports from the receiver are periodic. Inchanging environments, particularly but not solely in mobileenvironments, when channel is fading, a report received from thereceiver may not be appropriate by the time MCS is estimated and thetransmission takes place. If the channel conditions have improved, thenthe selected MCS may result in lower throughput and spectral efficiencyuntil the next report is received. If the channel conditions haveworsened, then the selected MCS may result in lot of transmission errorsand retransmissions. Increase in transmission errors and retransmissionsmay, at the higher layers, be realized as high packet latency and alower throughput of the system.

Another issue with current adaption algorithms is that the receiverestimates the channel conditions based on the size of the received databurst. Channel estimated on a smaller burst may not be valid for alarger burst, since the RSSI/SNR measurement is usually stronger onsmaller burst. This is especially true in uplink transmissions receivedfrom the subscriber station, since uplink transmissions are typicallyconstrained by available power limitations. This is true even in case ofan adaptive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. Sometimes in denseurban environments, channel conditions estimated by the receiver may bewrong, due to high multipath fading.

Another issue with current adaptation algorithms is often seen withTCP-type of flow in communication systems. If the rate chosen is higher,this may cause initial packet loss to TCP stream. If the problem issufficiently severe, the TCP may not even start.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One embodiment is a communication system operative to calibrate rates atwhich data is transmitted. In some embodiments, such a system wouldinclude a communication receiver. In some embodiments, such a systemwould include a communication transmitter, configured to (i) transmit tothe receiver a short transmission using a first set of communicationparameters operative to facilitate a first rate of data transmissionthat is higher than recently achieved rate of data transmissionassociated with a recently used set of communication parameters of aprevious transmission, (ii) determine that there are substantially noerrors associated with reception of the short transmission by thereceiver, and (iii) transmit to the receiver a long transmission using asecond set of communication parameters operative to facilitate a secondrate of data transmission that is higher than the recently achieved rateof data transmission, but is lower than the rate of data transmissionassociated with the short transmission.

One embodiment is a method for increasing modulation and coding schemesin a communication system. In some embodiments of such a method, atransmitter transmits, to a receiver, a short transmission using a firstmodulation and coding scheme that is two levels above a recently usedmodulation and coding scheme known to have produced stable communicationbetween said transmitter and said receiver. In some embodiments of sucha method, the system determines that there are substantially no errorsassociated with reception of the short transmission by the receiver,thereby supporting a decision to increase modulation and coding schemeof following transmissions above the recently used modulation and codingscheme known to have produced stable communication between saidtransmitter and said receiver. In some embodiments of such a method, thetransmitter transmits, to the receiver, a long transmission having asecond modulation and coding scheme that is only one level above therecently used modulation and coding scheme known to have produced stablecommunication between said transmitter and receiver, therebystatistically facilitating a substantially error-free reception of thelong transmission by the receiver. In one alternative embodiment, stepsof the method proceed in the order described above, meaning transmissionof a short transmission as described, determination there aresubstantially no errors as described above, and transmission of a longtransmission as described above.

In an alternative embodiment, the order of the steps above is altered,in which the first step is transmission of a short transmission asdescribed, the second step is transmission of a long transmission asdescribed above, and the third step is determination there aresubstantially no errors as described above.

One embodiment is a method for increasing rates at which data istransmitted in a communication system. In some embodiments of such amethod, a transmitter transmits, to a receiver, a short transmissioncreated utilizing a first set of two communication parameters that aredifferent than a previous set of two communication parameters recentlyutilized in creation of stable communication between said transmitterand receiver, wherein each of the two communication parameters of thefirst set is operative to increase rates at which data is transmittedfrom the transmitter to the receiver. In some embodiments of such amethod, the system determines that there are substantially no errorsassociated with reception of the short transmission by the receiver,thereby supporting a decision to increase rates at which data istransmitted in following transmissions. In some embodiments of such amethod, the transmitter transmits, to the receiver, a long transmissioncreated utilizing a second set of two communication parameters, wherein(i) first of said communication parameters of the second set is equal tothe first of the communication parameter of the first set, but (ii) thesecond of said communication parameter of the second set is equal to thesecond of the communication parameter of the previous set, therebystatistically assuring an error-free reception of the long transmissionby the receiver. In one alternative embodiment, steps of the methodproceed in the order described above, meaning transmission of a shorttransmission as described, determination there are substantially noerrors as described above, and transmission of a long transmission asdescribed above.

In an alternative embodiment, the order of the steps above is altered,in which the first step is transmission of a short transmission asdescribed, the second step is transmission of a long transmission asdescribed above, and the third step is determination there aresubstantially no errors as described above.

One embodiment is a method for calibrating rates at which data istransmitted in a communication system. In some embodiments of such amethod, a transmitter transmits, to a receiver, a short transmissionusing a first set of communication parameters operative to facilitate afirst rate of data transmission that is higher than recently achievedrate of data transmission associated with a recently used set ofcommunication parameters of a previous transmission. In some embodimentsof such a method, the system determines that there are substantially noerrors associated with reception of the short transmission by thereceiver, thereby supporting a decision to increase rates of datatransmission above the rate of the recently achieved rate of datatransmission associated with the a recently second set of communicationparameters of a previous transmission. In some embodiments of such amethod, the transmitter transmits, to the receiver, a long transmissionof a previous transmission using a second set of communicationparameters operative to facilitate a second rate of data transmissionthat is higher than the recently achieved rate of data transmission, butis lower than the rate of data transmission associated with the shorttransmission, thereby statistically facilitating a substantiallyerror-free reception of the long transmission by the receiver. In onealternative embodiment, steps of the method proceed in the orderdescribed above, meaning transmission of a short transmission asdescribed, determination there are substantially no errors as describedabove, and transmission of a long transmission as described above.

In an alternative embodiment, the order of the steps above is altered,in which the first step is transmission of a short transmission asdescribed, the second step is transmission of a long transmission asdescribed above, and the third step is determination there aresubstantially no errors as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention are herein described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specificreference now to the drawings, it is stressed that the particulars shownare by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion ofembodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in order toprovide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understooddescription of the principles and conceptual aspects of embodiments ofthe present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to showstructural details of embodiments in more detail than is necessary for afundamental understanding of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of components in a communicationsystem, including a communication transmitter, a communication receiver,and three different phases of transmissions from the transmitter to thereceiver;

FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of components in a communicationsystem, including a base station configured to transmit, wirelesssubscriber stations configured to receive, and non-wireless customerpremises equipment configured to receive;

FIG. 2B illustrates one embodiment of components in a communicationsystem, including a base station configured to receive, wirelesssubscriber stations configured to transmit, and non-wireless customerpremises equipment configured to transmit;

FIG. 3A illustrates one embodiment of a method for calibrating the levelof a modulation and coding scheme, in which transmissions occur atdifferent times and different scheme levels;

FIG. 3B illustrates one embodiment of a method for calibrating the levelof a modulation and coding scheme, in which transmissions occur atdifferent times and different scheme levels;

FIG. 4 illustrates a table with entries representing the type ofmodulation, the code rate, and the antenna usage scheme;

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a method for calibrating modulationand coding schemes in a communication system;

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a method for calibrating rates atwhich data is transmitted in a communication system; and

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a method for calibrating rates atwhich data is transmitted in a communication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Current link adaptation schemes based on RSSI/SNR work well incommunication environments where the channel conditions are stable andnon-fading. This is the case with some fixed environments, but only atparticular points of time, and not at other points of time. This is notthe case with mobile or portable environments. In those environments, atthose times, when channel conditions are stable and non-fading, currentlink adaptation schemes based on RSSI/SNR allow relatively correctchannel measurements. In other environments, current link adaptationschemes based on RSSI/SNR do not allow relatively correct channelmeasurements. Incorrect channel measurements may lead to higher packetloss, and degradation in system performance.

In contrast to current link adaptation schemes, an error-based approachcan work well in any communication environment, since the channelmeasurement with such an approach is not based on preamble or datapilots, and is instead based purely on the accuracy of datatransmissions.

Some embodiments present an approach based on received frame errors andretransmissions, typically at Layer 2, but also possibly at otherlayers. In comparison to prior art based on link adaptation schemes,this approach responds to channel conditions faster, achieves desiredPacket Error Rate (PER) more effectively, and increases overall spectralefficiency of the system. Further, this approach works very well withTCP like flows. This approach outperforms other SNR/RSSI basedalgorithms in both static and mobile environments.

Some embodiments include new algorithms for uplink and downlinkcommunication, including for communication in OFDM and OFDMA basedsystems. Some embodiments are based on these new algorithms, and useerror statistics to determine optimal Modulation coding scheme supportedby the channel. The specific error statistics used may be packet errorstatistics, but other kinds of statistics are also possible and are usedin various embodiments. Some of the embodiments use hardware such as an802.16e WiMAX Base station system, but this is an example only, and theactual system may be wireless or wireline of any kind, provided thatcommunication channels are created between some kind of transmittingstation and at least one receiving unit.

In addition to new algorithms based on transmission packet errors drivenpurely by data transmissions, the new algorithms may also address suchissues as power control, implementation of sub-channelization mechanismpossibly at the edge of coverage, or derive optimal antenna method(SISO, STC and MIMO) to maximize the spectral efficiency.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of components in a communicationsystem 100, including a communication transmitter 101, a communicationreceiver 102, and three different phases of transmissions from thetransmitter to the receiver 103pre, 103short, and 103long. In FIG. 1,the transmitter 101 transmits to a receiver 102. This is a communicationsystem 100 that may be portable, mobile, fixed, or any combination ofthese three. In some embodiments, there are three phases oftransmissions, which include transmission 103pre prior to initiation offluctuations in MCS levels, short transmission 103short which isrelatively short transmission that includes a two-level jump the MCSlevel, and relatively long transmission 103long which is a longertransmission than the short transmission and which is performed at anMCS level that is one level higher than the 103pre level and one levellower than the 103short level. The method involving these three phasesof transmissions is explained further in relation to FIG. 3A, below.

FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of components in a communicationsystem, including a base station 107 configured to transmit, wirelesssubscriber stations 108 a configured to receive, and non-wirelesscustomer premises equipment 108 b configured to receive. There is aparticular area of coverage, denoted at “Wireless coverage area” in FIG.2A, although as noted, the system may be wireless, wireline, or anycombination of wireless and wireline. At the particular time illustratedin FIG. 2A, base station 107 is transmitting to subscriber stations 108a, although at other times not shown the base station 107 may betransmitting to the customer premises equipment 108 b.

FIG. 2B illustrates one embodiment of components in a communicationsystem, including a base station 117 configured to receive, wirelesssubscriber stations 118 a configured to transmit, and non-wirelesscustomer premises equipment 118 b configured to transmit. There is aparticular area of coverage, denoted at “Wireless coverage area” in FIG.2B, although as noted, the system may be wireless, wireline, or anycombination of wireless and wireline. At the particular time illustratedin FIG. 2B, base station 117 is receiving a transmission from subscriberstations 118 a, although at other times not shown the base station 117may be receiving transmission from the customer premises equipment 118b.

FIG. 3A illustrates one embodiment of a method for calibrating the levelof a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), in which transmissions occur atdifferent times and different scheme levels. The level of the MCS isshown on the y-axis, and time is shown on the x-axis. Five MCS levelsare shown in FIG. 3A, which are 301 mcs, then a level higher 302 mcs,then a level higher 303 mcs, then a higher level 304 mcs, then asubstantially optimal level 309 mcs. It will be understood that themethod is not limited to five levels, and in fact there may be three MCSlevels, or four MCS levels, or six MCS levels, or any number of MCSlevels above six.

One embodiment is a communication system 100 operative to calibraterates at which data is transmitted. Such a system may include a receiver102 to receive data transmissions. Such a system may also include atransmitter 101 to transmit data transmissions. In some embodiments,such a transmitter 101 may be configured to: (i) transmit to thereceiver 102 a short transmission 103short, using a first set ofcommunication parameters operative to facilitate a first rate of datatransmission that is higher than recently achieved rate of datatransmission associated with a recently used set of communicationparameters of a previous transmission, (ii) determine that there aresubstantially no errors associated with reception of the shorttransmission by the receiver, and (iii) transmit to the receiver a longtransmission 103long using a second set of communication parametersoperative to facilitate a second rate of data transmission that ishigher than the recently achieved rate of data transmission, but islower than the rate of data transmission associated with the shorttransmission 103short. The configuration may include repeating a shorttransmission 103 ss and repeating a long transmission 103 ll until asubstantially optimal modulation and coding scheme 309 mcs is reached.

The term “substantially no errors”, here and in all embodiments,includes any of three scenarios of errors in data transmission:

-   First, there are either no errors, or the PER (“packet error rate”)    is so low as to be substantially imperceptible and thus of no    consequence.-   Second, there is a non-insignificant PER, but decoding and    correction algorithms can reconstruct the original transmission so    that either no or an insubstantial amount of information is lost.-   Third, there is a non-significant PER, and decoding and correction    algorithms cannot reconstruct all of the lost or corrupted    information, but the amount of information lost or corrupted is    within tolerance; therefore, even at this level of PER, the data    quality is acceptable.

All of these scenarios are within the scope of the term “substantiallyerror-free”. The phrase, “substantially error-free” is equivalent to thephrase “substantially no errors”, and includes also the three scenariosof errors in data transmission noted immediately above.

In one alternative embodiment of such a system to calibrate rates atwhich data is transmitted, the communication system 100 includes WiMAXtransmissions.

In one alternative embodiment of such a system to calibrate rates atwhich data is transmitted, the communication system 100 includes LTEtransmissions.

In one alternative embodiment of such a system to calibrate rates atwhich data is transmitted, the communication system 100 includes WiFitransmissions.

In one alternative embodiment of such a system to calibrate rates atwhich data is transmitted, in which the communication system 100includes any of WiMAX transmissions, LTE transmissions, and WiFitransmissions, the transmitter 101 is a kind of base station 107, andthere are one or more receivers which may be wireless subscriberstations 108 a, fixed customer premises equipment 108 b, or bothwireless subscriber stations 108 a and fixed customer premises equipment108 b.

In one alternative embodiment of such a system to calibrate rates atwhich data is transmitted, in which the communication system 100includes any of WiMAX transmissions, LTE transmissions, and WiFitransmissions, the receiver 102 is a kind of base station 117, and thereare one or more transmitters which may be wireless subscriber stations118 a, fixed customer premises equipment 118 b, or both wirelesssubscriber stations 118 a and fixed customer premises equipment 118 b.

In one alternative embodiment of such a system to calibrate rates atwhich data is transmitted, the communication system 100 utilizes atransmission scheme that includes DMT.

In one alternative embodiment of such a system to calibrate rates atwhich data is transmitted, the communication system 100 utilizes atransmission scheme that includes DSL.

In one alternative embodiment of such a system to calibrate rates atwhich data is transmitted, the communication system 100 utilizes atransmission scheme that includes orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (OFDM).

In one alternative embodiment of such a system to calibrate rates atwhich data is transmitted, the communication system 100 utilizes atransmission scheme that includes orthogonal frequency division multipleaccess (OFDMA).

In one alternative embodiment of such a system to calibrate rates atwhich data is transmitted, the data is transmitted according to the dataover cable service interface specification (DOCSIS).

One embodiment is a method for calibrating modulation and coding schemesin a communication system 100. In some embodiments, a transmitter 101transmits to a receiver 102 a short transmission 103short, using a firstmodulation and coding scheme 303 mcs that is two levels above a recentlyused modulation and coding scheme 301 mcs known to have produced stablecommunication between the transmitter 101 and the receiver 102. In someembodiments, the communication system 100 determines that there aresubstantially no errors associated with reception of the shorttransmission 103short by the receiver 102, thereby supporting a decisionto increase modulation and coding scheme of following transmissionsabove the recently used modulation and coding scheme 301 mcs known tohave produced stable communication between the transmitter 101 and thereceiver 102. In some embodiments, the transmitter 102 transmits to thereceiver 102 a long transmission 103long having a second modulation andcode scheme 302 mcs that is only one level above the recently usedmodulation and coding scheme 301 mcs known to have produced stablecommunication between the transmitter 101 and the receiver 102, therebystatistically facilitating a substantially error-free reception of thelong transmission 103long by the receiver 102.

In some embodiments of the method just described for calibratingmodulation and coding schemes in a communication system 100, thetransmitter 101 first transmits the short transmission 103short, thensystem 100 determines there are substantially no errors in the shorttransmission 103short, then the transmitter 101 transmits the longtransmission 103long to the receiver 102.

In some embodiments of the method just described for calibratingmodulation and coding schemes in a communication system 100, thetransmitter 101 first transmits the short transmission 103short, thenthe transmitter 101 transmits the long transmission 103long to thereceiver 102, then the system 100 determines there are substantially noerrors in the short transmission 103short.

In a first alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating modulation and coding schemes in a communication system, themethod further includes (i) transmitting a short transmission 103 ss,(ii) determining that there are substantially no errors, and (iii)transmitting a long transmission 103 ll, until a substantially optimalmodulation and coding scheme 309 mcs is reached.

In a second alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating modulation and coding schemes in a communication system 100,the method further includes (i) determining that there is at least oneerror associated with reception of the short transmission 103short bythe receiver 102, and (ii) consequently transmitting, by the transmitter101, to the receiver 102, a long transmission having a second modulationand coding scheme that has the same level as the modulation and codingscheme 301 mcs known to have produced stable communication between thetransmitter 101 and the receiver 102, thereby statistically not riskingtransmission at a modulation and coding scheme that would have resultedin an error.

In a third alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating modulation and coding schemes in a communication system 100,the method further includes (i) determining that there is at least oneerror associated with reception of the short transmission 103short bythe receiver 102, and (ii) consequently transmitting, by the transmitter101, to the receiver 102, an extended transmission 103ext having asecond modulation and coding scheme 302 mcs that is only one level abovethe recently used modulation and coding scheme 301 mcs known to haveproduced stable communication between the transmitter 101 and thereceiver 102, wherein the extended transmission 103ext has a longerperiod than the long transmission 103long, thereby forcing thetransmitter 101 to wait longer before trying to increase again themodulation and coding scheme.

In one possible configuration of the third alternative embodiment justdescribed, the method further includes (i) determining that there aresubstantially no errors associated with reception of the extendedtransmission 103ext by the receiver 102, (ii) transmitting, by atransmitter 101, to a receiver 102, a following short transmission 103fs using a third modulation and coding scheme 304 mcs that is two levelsabove the modulation and coding scheme 302 mcs of the extendedtransmission 103ext, (iii) determining that there are substantially noerrors associated with reception of the following short transmission 103fs by the receiver 102, thereby supporting a decision to increasemodulation and coding scheme of following transmissions, (iv)transmitting, by the transmitter 101 to the receiver 102, a followinglong transmission 103 fl having the first modulation and coding scheme303 mcs that is only one level above the modulation and coding scheme302 mcs of the extended transmission 103ext, thereby statisticallyfacilitating an error-free reception of the following long transmission103 fl by the receiver 102.

In a fourth alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating modulation and coding schemes in a communication system 100,method further includes (i) the modulation of the first modulation andcoding scheme 303 mcs is one level above the modulation of the recentlyused modulation and coding scheme 301 mcs known to have produced stablecommunication between the transmitter 101 and the receiver 102, and (ii)the coding of the first modulation and coding scheme 303 mcs is onelevel above the coding of the recently used modulation and coding scheme301 mcs known to have produced stable communication between thetransmitter 101 and the receiver 102, in such a manner that the firstmodulation and coding scheme 303 mcs is two levels above the recentlyused modulation and coding scheme 301 mcs known to have produced stablecommunication between the transmitter 101 and the receiver 102.

In one possible configuration of the fourth alternative embodiment justdescribed, the method further includes (i) the modulation of the firstmodulation and coding scheme 303 mcs is quadrature phase shift keying(QPSK), and (ii) the modulation of the recently used modulation andcoding scheme 301 mcs known to have produced stable communicationbetween the transmitter 101 and the receiver 102 is binary phase shiftkeying (BPSK).

In a second possible configuration of the fourth alternative embodimentjust described, the method further includes (i) the coding of the firstmodulation and coding scheme is of rate two thirds, and (ii) the codingof the recently used modulation and coding scheme 301 mcs known to haveproduced stable communication between the transmitter 101 and thereceiver 102 is of rate one half.

In a third possible configuration of the fourth alternative embodimentjust described, (i) the modulation of the first modulation and codingscheme is 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM-16), and (ii) themodulation of the recently used modulation and coding scheme 301 mcsknown to have produced stable communication between the transmitter 101and the receiver 102 is quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK).

In a fourth possible configuration of the fourth alternative embodimentjust described, (i) the coding of the first modulation and coding schemeis of rate three quarters, and (ii) the coding of the recently usedmodulation and coding scheme 301 mcs known to have produced stablecommunication between the transmitter 101 and the receiver 102 is ofrate two thirds.

In a fifth possible configuration of the fourth alternative embodimentjust described, (i) the modulation of the first modulation and codingscheme is 64 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM-64), and (ii) themodulation of the recently used modulation and coding scheme 301 mcsknown to have produced stable communication between the transmitter 101and the receiver 102 is 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM-16).

In a sixth possible configuration of the fourth alternative embodimentjust described, (i) the coding of the first modulation and coding schemeis of rate five sixth, and (ii) the coding of the recently usedmodulation and coding scheme 301 mcs known to have produced stablecommunication between the transmitter 102 and the receiver 102 is ofrate three quarters.

In a fifth alternative embodiment of the method described forcalibrating modulation and coding schemes in a communication system 100,the method further includes the step of transmitting the longtransmission 103long starts before the step of determining that thereare substantially no errors associated with reception of the shorttransmission 103short, such that the determination that there aresubstantially no errors occurs during the long transmission 103long.

Implementing the steps of the fifth alternative embodiment in the orderjust described may be necessary in a case where the transmitter 101knows about errors in the short transmission 103short only after theshort transmission 103short has long been completed, therefore theinformation of the failure may be available to the transmitter 101 onlyduring the next phase—which is the long transmission 103long. This wouldtypically be the case in a frame-based bi-directional communication,where it takes time for the receiver 102 to indicate to the transmitter101 about such failure in the short transmission 103short.

In a first possible configuration of the fifth alternative embodimentjust described, the method further includes not extending the period ofthe long transmission 103ext, as a result of the determination thatthere are substantially no errors associated with reception of the shorttransmission 103short.

In one possible variation of the first possible configuration of thefifth alternative embodiment just described, the method further includestransmitting, by the transmitter 101 to the receiver 102, a second shorttransmission 103 ss using a third modulation and coding scheme 304 mcsthat is two levels above the modulation and coding scheme 302 mcs of thelong transmission 103long, thereby starting a process operative toincrease, again, modulation and coding schemes of the communicationsystem 100.

In a second possible variation of the first possible configuration ofthe fifth alternative embodiment just described, the method furtherincludes (i) determining that there is at least one error associatedwith reception of the long transmission 103long, and (ii) lowering themodulation and coding scheme associated with following transmissions.

In a second possible configuration of the fifth alternative embodimentjust described, the method further includes extending the period of thelong transmission to create an extended transmission 103ext, after andas a result of a failure to determine that there are substantially noerrors associated with reception of the short transmission 103short.

In one possible variation of the second possible configuration of thefifth alternative embodiment just described, the method further includestransmitting, by the transmitter 101 to the receiver 102, a second shorttransmission 103 fs using a third modulation and coding scheme 304 mcsthat is two levels above the modulation and coding scheme 302 mcs of theextended transmission 103ext, thereby starting a process operative toincrease, again, modulation and coding schemes of the communicationsystem 100.

In a second possible variation of the second possible configuration ofthe fifth alternative embodiment just described, the method furtherincludes (i) determining that there is at least one error associatedwith reception of the extended transmission 103ext, and (ii) loweringthe modulation and coding scheme associated with followingtransmissions.

One embodiment is a method for calibrating rates at which data istransmitted in a communication system 100. In some embodiments, atransmitter 101 transmits to a receiver 102, a short transmission103short created utilizing a first set of two communication parametersthat are different than a previous set of two communication parametersrecently utilized in creation of stable communication between thetransmitter 101 and the receiver 102, wherein each of the twocommunication parameters of the first set is operative to increase ratesat which data is transmitted from the transmitter 101 to the receiver102. In some embodiments, the communication system 100 determines thatthere are substantially no errors associated with reception of the shorttransmission 103short by the receiver 102, thereby supporting a decisionto increase rates at which data is transmitted in followingtransmissions. In some embodiments, the transmitter 102 transmits to thereceiver 102, a long transmission 103long created utilizing a second setof two communication parameters, in which (i) the first of thecommunication parameters of the second set is equal to the first of thecommunication parameter of the first set, but (ii) the second of thecommunication parameters of the second set is equal to the second of thecommunication parameter of the previous set, thereby statisticallyfacilitating an error-free reception of the long transmission 103long bythe receiver 102.

In a first alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating rates at which data is transmitted in a communication system100, the method further includes (i) the first communication parameterfor each of the sets of communication parameters is a code rate, and(ii) the second communication parameter for each of the sets ofcommunication parameters is a level of multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) antenna scheme used in transmitting data from the transmitter 101to the receiver 102.

In a second alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating rates at which data is transmitted in a communication system100, the method further includes (i) the first communication parameterfor each of the sets of communication parameters is a modulation level,and (ii) the second communication parameter a is code rate.

In a third alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating rates at which data is transmitted in a communication system100, the method further includes (i) the first communication parameterfor each of the sets of communication parameters is a code rate, and(ii) the second communication parameter for each of the sets ofcommunication parameters is a level of multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) antenna scheme used in transmitting data from the transmitter 101to the receiver 102.

In a fourth alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating rates at which data is transmitted in a communication system100, the method further includes (i) the first communication parameterfor each of the sets of communication parameters is a modulation levelor a code rate, and (ii) the second communication parameter for each ofthe sets of communication parameters is selected from a group consistingof first, a level of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennascheme used in transmitting data from the transmitter to the receiver,and second, the inverse of power density.

FIG. 4 illustrates a list 400 with entries including the type ofmodulation 410, the code rate 411, and the antenna usage scheme 412.FIG. 4 shows ten entries in the list, in which each horizontal blockrepresents an entry. Each entry includes at least three components,which are (i) modulation 410, here shown as the options of QPSK, QAM-16,and QAM 64, although any other modulations could be shown, (ii) coderates 411, shown here as 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, and 5/6, although the list couldinclude any other code rate equal to or less than 1.00, and (iii)antenna usage scheme 412, here shown as either SISO/STC or MIMO,although other combinations, such as one to many or many to one, wouldalso be possible.

Each entry in FIG. 4 is an MCS level. The lowest MCS level is modulationQPSK, code rate 1/2, and antenna usage scheme SISO/STC, shown at the topof the list FIG. 4. Of the ten entries shown in FIG. 4, this entry, atthe top of the list, presents the poorest level of spectral efficiency,meaning the lowest level of data rate transmission for a given spectrumand link budget. However, this entry also represents the highest levelof data robustness, meaning the highest level of data quality for datareceived by the receiver, of the ten entries shown in FIG. 4. Quality isdetermined by various checks done at the receiver or at a functionalunit that receives data from the receiver.

After the lowest MCS level, meaning QPSK, 1/2, and SISO/STC, which hasthe lowest spectral efficiency but the highest data robustness, onelevel up, meaning greater spectral efficiency but lower data robustness,would be QPSK, 3/4, and SISO/STC, which is shown as the second from thetop entry in FIG. 4. The next higher MCS level is QAM-16, 1/2, andSISO/STC, meaning there is higher spectral efficiency then the secondlevel, but lower data robustness than the second level. In general, ofthe various options for modulation 410, code rate 411, and antenna usagescheme 412, shown in FIG. 4, the top entry is the lowest MCS level, andeach succeeding lower entry is one higher MCS level, with higherspectral efficiency but lower data robustness than the lower levels.

An example of an application of the list 400 according to someembodiments, may be shown by considering three entries. Let us assumethree MCS levels, including QAM-16, 1/2, SISO/STC, called in FIG. 4401recent, QAM-16, 3/4, SISO/STC, called in FIG. 4 401second, andQAM-64, 2/3, SISO/STC, called in FIG. 4 401first. These three MCS levelsmight be compared to 401recent as 301 mcs, 401first as 303 mcs, and401second as 302 mcs, in one of many possible examples. In thisparticular example, there is a preliminary transmission at 301 mcs,which might be 401recent QAM-16, 1/2, SISO/STC, the transmitter thenjumps two MCS levels to 303 mcs, which might be 401first QAM-64, 2/3,SISO/STC where there will be a short transmission 103short, and thetransmitter will then drop one MCS level to 302 mcs, which might beQAM-16, 3/4, SISO/STC for either a long transmission 103long or anextended transmission 103ext. This example may be repeated, withnecessary changes, at any of the MCS levels represented by the tenentries in FIG. 4. Indeed, FIG. 4 could be expanded to include manyother possible combinations of modulations, code rates, and antennausage schemes, provided that there is an order of the entries such thatvarious embodiments will jump or drop different MCS levels asrepresented by the entry levels in FIG. 4.

One embodiment is a method for calibrating rates at which data istransmitted in a communication system 100. In some embodiments atransmitter 101 transmits to a receiver 102, a short transmission103short using a first set of communication parameters operative tofacilitate a first rate of data transmission that is higher thanrecently achieved rate of data transmission associated with a recentlyused set of communication parameters of a previous transmission 103pre.In some embodiments, the communication system 100 determines that thereare substantially no errors associated with reception of the shorttransmission 103short by the receiver 102, thereby supporting a decisionto increase rates of data transmission above the rate of the recentlyachieved rate of data transmission associated with the recently used setof communication parameters of the previous transmission 103pre. In someembodiments, the transmitter 101 transmits to the receiver 102, a longtransmission 103long using a second set of communication parametersoperative to facilitate a second rate of data transmission that ishigher than the recently achieved rate of data transmission, but islower than the rate of data transmission associated with the shorttransmission 103short, thereby statistically facilitating asubstantially error-free reception of the long transmission 103long bythe receiver 102.

In a first alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating rates at which data is transmitted in a communication system100, the method further includes the recently used set of communicationparameters 401recent, the second set of communication parameters401second, and the first set of communication parameters 401first,respectively, are three consecutive entries in a list 400 comprisingentries of sets of communication parameters, wherein each entry in thelist 400 comprises a set of communication parameters associated with arate of data transmission that is higher than a rate of datatransmission associated with a previous entry in the list 400, if suchprevious entry exists.

In a first possible configuration of the first alternative embodimentjust described, the method further includes the set of communicationparameters comprises the three communication parameters of modulationlevel 410, code rate 411, and antenna usage scheme 412, such that usinga combination of these three communication parameters of each entryresults in data transmission rates that are higher than datatransmission rates resulting from using a combination of the threeparameters of a previous entry.

In one possible variation of the first possible configuration of thefirst alternative embodiment just described, the method further includesat least two of the entries 420transition in the list 400 areconsecutive and represent a transition between an antenna usage scheme412 that is either single-input single-output (SISO) or space time code(STC), and an antenna usage scheme 412 that is multiple-inputmultiple-output (MIMO).

In one possible variation of the first possible configuration of thefirst alternative embodiment just described, the method further includesduring the transition, either the modulation level 410 or the code rate411, or both the modulation level 410 and code rate 411, are decreasedin order to assist with activation of the multiple-input multiple-outputantenna scheme 412.

In a second possible configuration of the first alternative embodimentjust described, the method further includes during transitions betweentwo sets of communication parameters associated with a constant antennausage scheme 412, either modulation level 410, or code rate 411, or bothmodulation level 410 and code rate 412, are increased, in order tofacilitate an increase in rate of data transmission.

In a second alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating rates at which data is transmitted in a communication system100, the method further includes each of the first and the recently usedsets of communication parameters is a modulation level 410.

In a third alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating rates at which data is transmitted in a communication system100, the method further includes each of the first and the recently usedthe sets of communication parameters is a code rate 411.

In a fourth alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating rates at which data is transmitted in a communication system100, the method further includes each of the first and the recently usedsets of communication parameters is an antenna usage scheme 412.

In a fifth alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating rates at which data is transmitted in a communication system100, the method further includes each of the first and recently usedsets of communication parameters is a sub-channelization usage scheme,in which increasing the number of sub-channels used increases the ratesof data transmissions.

In a first possible configuration of the fifth alternative embodimentjust described, the method further includes increasing the number ofsub-channels used is done in conjunction with lowering the transmissionpower per sub-channel.

In a second possible configuration of the fifth alternative embodimentjust described, the method further includes increasing the number ofsub-channels used is done in conjunction with lowering the transmissionpower.

In a sixth alternative embodiment of the method described forcalibrating rates at which data is transmitted in a communication system100, the method further includes transmitting the long transmission103long starts before the system determines that there are substantiallyno errors associated with reception of the short transmission 103short,such that the determination that there are substantially no errorsoccurs during the long transmission 103long.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a method for calibrating modulationand coding schemes in a communication system 100. In step 1011, atransmitter 101 transmits to a receiver 102, a short transmission103short using a first modulation and coding scheme 303 mcs that is twolevels above a recently used modulation and coding scheme 301 mcs knownto have produced stable communication between the transmitter 101 andthe receiver 102. In step 1012, the communication system 100 determinesthat there are substantially no errors associated with reception of theshort transmission 103short by the receiver 102, thereby supporting adecision to increase modulation and coding scheme of followingtransmissions above the recently used modulation and coding scheme 301mcs known to have produced stable communication between the transmitter101 and the receiver 102. In step 1013, the transmitter 101 transmits tothe receiver 102, a long transmission 103long having a second modulationand coding scheme 302 mcs that is only one level above the recently usedmodulation and coding scheme 301 mcs known to have produced stablecommunication between the transmitter 101 and the receiver 102, therebystatistically facilitating a substantially error-free reception of thelong transmission 103long by the receiver 102.

In one alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating modulation and coding schemes in a communication system 100,the chronological order of the steps is step 1011, then step 1012, thenstep 1013. In one alternative embodiment of the method just describedfor calibrating modulation and coding schemes in a communication system100, the chronological order of the steps is step 1011, then step 1013,then step 1012.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a method for calibrating rates atwhich data is transmitted in a communication system 100. In step 1021, atransmitter 101 transmits to a receiver 102, a short transmission103short created utilizing a first set of two communication parametersthat are different than a previous set of two communication parametersrecently utilized in creation of stable communication between thetransmitter 101 and the receiver 102, wherein each of the twocommunication parameters of the first set is operative to increase ratesat which data is transmitted from the transmitter 101 to the receiver102. In step 1022, the communication system 100 determines that thereare substantially no errors associated with reception of the shorttransmission 103short by the receiver 102, thereby supporting a decisionto increase rates at which data is transmitted in followingtransmissions. In step 1023, the transmitter 101 transmits to thereceiver 102, a long transmission 103long created utilizing a second setof two communication parameters, wherein (i) first of the communicationparameters of the second set is equal to the first of the communicationparameter of the first set, but (ii) the second of the communicationparameter of the second set is equal to the second of the communicationparameter of the previous set, thereby statistically facilitating anerror-free reception of the long transmission 103long by the receiver102.

In one alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating rates at which data is transmitted in a communication system100, the chronological order of the steps is step 1021, then step 1022,then step 1231. In one alternative embodiment of the method justdescribed for calibrating modulation and coding schemes in acommunication system 100, the chronological order of the steps is step1021, then step 1023, then step 1022.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a method for calibrating rates atwhich data is transmitted in a communication system 100. In step 1031, atransmitter 101 transmits to a receiver 102, a short transmission103short using a first set of communication parameters operative tofacilitate a first rate of data transmission that is higher thanrecently achieved rate of data transmission associated with a recentlyused set of communication parameters of a previous transmission 103pre.In step 1032, the communication system 100 determines that there aresubstantially no errors associated with reception of the shorttransmission 103short by the receiver 102, thereby supporting a decisionto increase rates of data transmission above the rate of the recentlyachieved rate of data transmission associated with a recently used setof communication parameters of a previous transmission 103pre. In step1033, the transmitter 101 transmits to the receiver 102, a longtransmission 103long using a second set of communication parametersoperative to facilitate a second rate of data transmission that ishigher than the recently achieved rate of data transmission, but islower than the rate of data transmission associated with the shorttransmission 103short, thereby statistically facilitating asubstantially error-free reception of the long transmission 103long bythe receiver 102.

In one alternative embodiment of the method just described forcalibrating rates at which data is transmitted in a communication system100, the chronological order of the steps is step 1031, then step 1032,then step 1233. In one alternative embodiment of the method justdescribed for calibrating modulation and coding schemes in acommunication system 100, the chronological order of the steps is step1031, then step 1033, then step 1032.

In this Detailed Description, numerous specific details are set forth.However, the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without someof these specific details. In other instances, well-known hardware,software, materials, structures and techniques have not been shown indetail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. Inthis description, references to “one embodiment” mean that the featurebeing referred to may be included in at least one embodiment of theinvention. Moreover, separate references to “one embodiment” or “someembodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment. Illustrated embodiments are not mutually exclusive, unlessso stated and except as will be readily apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art. Thus, the invention may include any variety ofcombinations and/or integrations of the features of the embodimentsdescribed herein. Although some embodiments may depict serialoperations, the embodiments may perform certain operations in paralleland/or in different orders from those depicted. Moreover, the use ofrepeated reference numerals and/or letters in the text and/or drawingsis for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itselfdictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/orconfigurations discussed. The embodiments are not limited in theirapplications to the details of the order or sequence of steps ofoperation of methods, or to details of implementation of devices, set inthe description, drawings, or examples. Moreover, individual blocksillustrated in the figures may be functional in nature and do notnecessarily correspond to discrete hardware elements. While the methodsdisclosed herein have been described and shown with reference toparticular steps performed in a particular order, it is understood thatthese steps may be combined, sub-divided, or reordered to form anequivalent method without departing from the teachings of theembodiments. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, theorder and grouping of the steps is not a limitation of the embodiments.Furthermore, methods and mechanisms of the embodiments will sometimes bedescribed in singular form for clarity. However, some embodiments mayinclude multiple iterations of a method or multiple instantiations of amechanism unless noted otherwise. For example, when an interface isdisclosed in an embodiment, the scope of the embodiment is intended tocover also the use of multiple interfaces. Certain features of theembodiments, which may have been, for clarity, described in the contextof separate embodiments, may also be provided in various combinations ina single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the embodiments,which may have been, for brevity, described in the context of a singleembodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesub-combination. Embodiments described in conjunction with specificexamples are presented by way of example, and not limitation. Moreover,it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations willbe apparent to those skilled in the art. It is to be understood thatother embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, it isintended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents.

1-43. (canceled)
 44. A method for calibrating rates at which data istransmitted in a communication system, comprising: transmitting, by atransmitter, to a receiver, a short transmission utilizing a first setof communication parameters comprising first and second communicationparameters, said first set of communication parameters being differentfrom a second set of communication parameters used to create stablecommunication between said transmitter and receiver, said second set ofcommunication parameters comprising first and second communicationparameters; determining that there are substantially no errorsassociated with reception of the short transmission by the receiver; andtransmitting, by the transmitter, to the receiver, a long transmissionutilizing a third set of communication parameters comprising first andsecond communication parameters, wherein (i) the first communicationparameter of the third set is equal to the first communication parameterof the first set, and (ii) the second communication parameter of thethird set is equal to the second communication parameter of the secondset.
 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the first communicationparameter for each of the sets of communication parameters is a coderate, and the second communication parameter for each of the sets ofcommunication parameters is a level for a multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) antenna scheme.
 46. The method of claim 44, wherein the firstcommunication parameter for each of the sets of communication parametersis (i) a modulation level, or (ii) a code rate; and the secondcommunication parameter for each of the sets of communication parametersis selected from a group consisting of: (i) a level for a multiple-inputmultiple-output (MIMO) antenna scheme used in transmitting data from thetransmitter to the receiver, and (ii) the inverse of power density. 47.A method for calibrating rates at which data is transmitted in acommunication system, comprising: transmitting, by a transmitter, to areceiver, a short transmission using a first set of communicationparameters to facilitate a first rate of data transmission that ishigher than a second rate of data transmission associated with a secondset of communication parameters associated with a previous transmission;determining that there are substantially no errors associated withreception of the short transmission by the receiver; and transmitting,by the transmitter, to the receiver, a long transmission of a previoustransmission using a third set of communication parameters to facilitatea third rate of data transmission that is higher than the second rate ofdata transmission, and is lower than the first rate of datatransmission.
 48. The method of claim 47, wherein the first, second andthird sets of communication parameters are entered in a list comprisingentries of sets of communication parameters.
 49. The method of claim 48,wherein the sets of communication parameters comprises modulation level,code rate, and antenna usage scheme.
 50. The method of claim 49, whereinat least one set of consecutive entries in said list represent atransition between an antenna usage scheme that is (i) single-inputsingle-output (SISO) or (ii) space time code (STC); and an antenna usagescheme that is multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO).
 51. The method ofclaim 50, wherein during said transition at least one of modulationlevel and code rate is decreased to assist with activation of themultiple-input multiple-output antenna usage scheme.
 52. The method ofclaim 47, wherein each of the first and the second sets of communicationparameters comprises a modulation level.
 53. The method of claim 47,wherein each of the first and the second sets of communicationparameters comprises a code rate.
 54. The method of claim 47, whereineach of the first and the second sets of communication parameterscomprises an antenna usage scheme.
 55. The method of claim 44, whereinthe step of transmitting the long transmission starts before determiningthat there are substantially no errors associated with reception.
 56. Acommunication system to calibrate rates at which data is transmitted,comprising: a receiver; and a transmitter to: (i) transmit to thereceiver a short transmission using a first set of communicationparameters to facilitate a first rate of data transmission that ishigher than a second rate of data transmission associated with a secondset of communication parameters associated with a previous transmission,(ii) determine that there are substantially no errors associated withreception of the short transmission by the receiver, and (iii) transmitto the receiver a long transmission using a third set of communicationparameters to facilitate a third rate of data transmission that ishigher than the second rate of data transmission, and is lower than thefirst rate of data transmission.
 57. The system of claim 56, wherein thecommunication system is selected from a group consisting of (i) WiMAX,(ii) LTE, (iii) WiFi, and (iv) data over cable service interfacespecification.
 58. The system of claim 56, wherein the transmitter is abase station, and the receiver is a customer premises equipment, or asubscriber station.
 59. The system of claim 56, wherein thecommunication system utilizes a transmission scheme selected from agroup consisting of (i) Discrete Multitone Transmission (DMT), (ii)Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), (iii) Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiplexing, and (iv) Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access.